THIS year’s search to find Hampshire’s top tots has begun.

The Daily Echo Child of the Year competition, which has been running for more than two decades, launches today and will once again see proud parents put their youngsters forward for the crown.

But there can only be one winner.

During the contest’s long history dozens of children have been entered and featured in the Daily Echo and now residents have the chance once again to see if their child has what it takes to impress the public and the judges.

Once again we are looking for that child with something special who could walk away with a prize.

This year, parents are asked to send in their photographs and the countdown is on with less than a month until the deadline.

So if you think your baby boy can melt residents’ hearts or your little girl has that winning smile, the title could be theirs.

They will be following in the footsteps of last year’s winner Harvey Dumper, who wowed judges with his beaming smile.

The then 13-month-old, from Southampton, beat dozens of cute rivals to the top spot after being entered by mum Katie Taylor who came across the competition while out shopping.

He made both Katie and Harvey’s father Joe Dumper proud and Katie, of Poulner Close, Weston, put his win down to his sunny personality.

As usual there will be four categories this year – nought to nine months, 10 to 18 months, 19 to 36 months and three to five years.

All pictures entered will appear in a supplement on August 31 and readers will be able to vote by post, phone or text at this time for the children they think come top in each category.

Then a panel of judges has the difficult task of choosing the winner and runner up from each of the age categories from the five most voted for children before an overall winner is picked from the first place entries in each category.

Winners and runners up will receive vouchers and will get their picture framed.

Entries must be received by 9am on August 24.

READERS can send in photographs preferably on email to picdesk@dailyecho.co.uk or if not possible hard copies to Picture Desk, Southern Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Southampton SO16 9JX.

Entries should include details of the child’s name (first and last name only), age, date of birth, parent’s name, contact number and address.

Without these details entries cannot be accepted.

Photographs must be head and shoulder shots, should not be group pictures and children should not be wearing masks or have their faces painted.

They should be sent in jpeg format and for hard copies they should be no larger than A5 in size - any hard copy photographs cannot be returned.

Photographs sent in may also be used in publicity for promoting the competition, including in the Daily Echo, as well as in the supplement.